We are thrilled to introduce our latest collection of Co-create products, launched to enhance user experience and foster creativity. This new collection brings together a diverse range of items, each designed in collaboration with our customers. By incorporating valuable insights and ideas directly from our community, we have created a lineup that truly reflects the needs and desires of our users.
XIAO PowerBread
XIAO PowerBread is a compact, high-power breadboard supply with built-in monitoring. It offers stable 3.3V and 5V outputs and real-time tracking of voltage, current, and power on its LCD display. Fully compatible with Seeed Studio XIAO dev boards and breadboards, it’s perfect for prototyping with visibility. Fully open-source and actively maintained by the designer, with easy-to-use documentation and customizable code.
Key Features
Real-Time Monitoring: Integrated LCD display provides instant access to voltage, current, and power metrics, no multimeter needed.
High-Current Output: Supplies up to 1.5A of stable 3.3V power, making it suitable for a variety of breadboard electronics projects.
Plug-and-Play Design: Easily connects to standard breadboards for quick prototyping without additional setup.
Open-Source Compatibility: Works with various Seeed Studio XIAO dev boards, allowing for flexible extensions and customizations.
Accurate Sensing and Monitoring: Features dual-channel voltage and current sensing, along with precise temperature and humidity readings, ideal for detailed power supply analysis and data logging.
XIAO Logger HAT
This little hat add-on for XIAO incorporates a Sensirion SHT40 temperature and humidity sensor, the BH1750 ambient light sensor, a PCF8563 real-time clock for accurate timekeeping, and an enableable voltage divider to keep track of the battery voltage.
Key Features
Compact Design: The device has a tiny footprint, making it compatible with all Seeed Studio XIAO microcontroller boards, ideal for space-constrained projects.
Low Power Consumption: GPIO-powered sensors enable a no-power sleep mode, with the always-on RTC consuming less than 1 µA, suitable for battery-operated data loggers.
I2C Communication: Supports easy programming using existing libraries and allows for the addition of multiple sensors on the same I2C bus.
On-Board Real-Time Clock: Features the PCF8563 chip for accurate timekeeping, essential for long-term data logging, with programmable interrupts for waking from deep sleep.
Precise Monitoring: The SHT40 sensor offers temperature readings with 0.2°C accuracy and humidity readings with 1.8% RH, while the RTC shows minimal drift over time.
Smart Citizen Kit 2.3
The Smart Citizen Kit allows people to easily collect environmental data such as air and noise pollution, visualize it, and share it with the world through the Smart Citizen platform. All this while being completely open source and customizable to your needs. Built by communities for communities.
Key Features
Multi-Sensor Capabilities: The new SCK2.3 is compatible with the previous SCK2.1. It brings new sensors, more customization, and exciting features that allow anyone to accurately measure and collect better quality data, including UV readings, an improved PM sensor to better measure air quality, along with the classic sensors from the previous SCK2.1: temperature, humidity, noise and light pollution.
User-Friendly Interface: The SCK2.3 is designed to allow anyone to start measuring in no time, making it accessible for beginners,educators, and researchers alike.
Open Source Hardware with Customization Options: As with previous versions, the SCK2.3 is fully open source, allowing users to modify and customize its hardware and firmware, tailoring the SCK to meet their specific needs. In addition, Fab Lab Barcelona has a wide range of open-source designs that allow users to 3D print and build their enclosures, recycling them when they are done, and saving some industrial plastic manufacturing in the process.
Data Sharing and Visualization: Collected data can be uploaded to the Smart Citizen Platform, where users can visualize their findings through easy-to-read graphs. The Smart Citizen Platform is completely open for people to access, making it easy for anyone to play, experiment, and work with environmental data!
Various data-logging options: The SCK2.3 is designed to publish data using your home or office Wi-Fi and can store data in CSV format on a MicroSD. It also includes an internal memory to store more than a month’s worth of data in case the device loses its Wi-Fi connection. Data is published automatically when the connection is recovered.
Mech_hexpod
Mech_hexpod is a hexapod robot developed based on Arduino nano. It uses Atmel328p chip as the main control. It is remote controlled via Bluetooth communication using a mobile phone app/joystick. Mech_hexpod can realise 3 types of modes: Dance, Walk, Stance, and at the same time, each type of mode has 8 different styles.
Key Features
Arduino-Compatible: Powered by the Atmel328p chip, it supports Arduino programming, allowing easy customization and learning.
Bluetooth Control: Controlled via a mobile app or external controller using Bluetooth, providing convenient and user-friendly operation.
Multiple Modes: Offers Dance, Walking, and Combat modes, each featuring various gaits, dance poses, and combat moves for diverse gameplay experiences.
Durable Servos: Features 12 all-metal MG90S servos, with 2 per leg, ensuring reliable and robust movement stability.
Expandable and Customizable: Supports UART for easy integration of additional modules, such as voice or image recognition, enhancing expandability and customization options.
The Mech_hexpod is already list on Taobao and will be soon available at the Seeed Studio Bazaar.
Louder ESP32
Louder-ESP32 combines ubiquitous ESP32 with an I2S DAC with built-in D-class amplifier capable of driving full-size speakers. This combination provides your compact ESP32 module with the necessary memory and RAM capabilities to develop Hi-Fi products.
Key Features
Powerful Audio Output: Integrates an I2S DAC with a built-in D-class amplifier, capable of driving full-size speakers for high-quality sound.
Hi-Fi Product Development: Combines the ESP32’s processing power with enhanced memory and RAM, making it suitable for developing Hi-Fi audio applications.
Compact Design: The Louder-ESP32 maintains a compact form factor while providing robust audio capabilities, ideal for space-constrained projects.
Versatile Compatibility: Works seamlessly with various ESP32 projects, allowing for easy integration into existing setups.
The December 23, 2024 release of DietPi v9.9 introduces several enhancements, new images for additional devices, and a range of bug fixes. This update improves support for single-board computers from Orange Pi and FriendlyELEC, enhances software tools, and addresses critical issues reported by the community. DietPi: DietPi is a lightweight and optimized operating system based […]
Why pre-soldered? Simple! No more fiddling with soldering irons on such tiny soldering pads- just unbox and start creating. These boards are ready to work with all XIAO add-ons (sensors, connectivity modules, actuators, and Grove Expansions) in a quick snap, perfect for breadboard prototyping or direct project integration.
Take our XIAO Starter Kit, for example. Just snap your pre-soldered XIAO onto the Expansion Board, and you’ve instantly got access to over 300 Grove modules plug and play. Perfect for education, rapid prototyping, or anyone who wants to jump straight into their project!
What’s your favorite XIAO board? Which pre-soldered XIAO will you try first? We’d love to hear about your project ideas with these new updates. Comment below to let us know!
P.S. This update comes straight from your feedback through the Seeed Studio XIAO Open Roadmap on GitHub, an open collaborative platform on GitHub where the community decides what we build next (explore more details here). Have more ideas for the XIAO ecosystem? Join the discussion on our open roadmap – we’re always listening!
Notes at the end.
Hey community, we’re curating a monthly newsletter centering around the beloved Seeed Studio XIAO. If you want to stay up-to-date with:
Cool Projects from the Community to get inspiration and tutorials Product Updates: firmware update, new product spoiler Wiki Updates: new wikis + wiki contribution News: events, contests, and other community stuff
As an Elite partner of the NVIDIA Partner Network, Seeed is excited to announce the release of the NVIDIA Jetson Orin Super Developer Kit. Delivering up to 67 TOPS of AI performance—a 1.7x improvement over its predecessor—this compact platform enables seamless execution of generative AI models, including vision transformers, large language models (LLMs), and vision-language models.
Generative AI is transforming industries, but significant challenges remain:
High costs for cutting-edge hardware.
Cloud dependency with escalating fees.
Software optimization complexities.
At just $249, Orin Nano Super Developer Ki provides developers, students, and makers with the most affordable and accessible platform with the support of the NVIDIA AI software and a broad AI software ecosystem to democratize generative AI at the edge.
Existing Orin Nano Developer Kit users can unlock this performance boost with a simple software upgrade, enabling everyone to explore new possibilities with generative AI. Orin Nano Super Developer Kit is an exceptional platform for AI-powered robotics. Its compact size and robust performance make it ideal for state-of-the-art diffusion models, end-to-end robotic control systems, and applications such as autonomous navigation, object detection, and real-time sensor processing. Developers can leverage the NVIDIA Isaac robotics platform to streamline robotics workflows and build intelligent machines capable of operating in complex environments, unlocking innovations across industries of logistics, healthcare, and agriculture.
Jetson runs the NVIDIA AI software stack, providing access to powerful frameworks tailored to specific use cases:
NVIDIA Isaac: Robotics applications.
NVIDIA Metropolis: Vision AI development.
NVIDIA Holoscan: Real-time sensor processing.
NVIDIA Omniverse Replicator: Synthetic data generation.
NVIDIA TAO Toolkit: Fine-tuning pre-trained AI models from the NGC catalog.
With the support of a robust software ecosystem, including NVIDIA’s TRT- LLM, developers benefit from accelerated inferencing, reduced latency, and enhanced efficiency.
The reference carrier board supports all Orin Nano and Orin NX modules, offering a versatile platform for various edge AI applications. Rich I/O options, including 2x MIPI CSI-2 connectors, M.2 expansion slots, and USB 3.2 ports, make it ideal for prototyping robotics, vision AI, and more.
The Jetson Orin Nano Super Developer Kit provides an affordable, high-performance alternative to cloud-based solutions, empowering developers to explore generative AI without recurring costs.
Technical Highlights
AI Performance
67 INT8 TOPS
GPU
NVIDIA Ampere architecture with 1024 CUDA cores and 32 tensor cores
As an Elite Partner in the NVIDIA Jetson Ecosystem, Seeed ensures developers have access to:
Cutting-edge hardware platforms tailored to the Jetson Orin Nano Super Developer Kit.
Expert support for cameras, sensors, and custom carrier boards.
A global network of AI-focused partners to accelerate your journey from prototype to product.
Seeed’s partnership with NVIDIA reflects our commitment to empowering developers with tools, support, and guidance for innovation in edge AI and generative AI.
Unlock Your Generative AI Playground
From robotics to video analytics and beyond, the Jetson Orin Nano Super Developer Kit is the ultimate platform for exploring the potential of generative AI. Whether you’re a student, maker, or developer, this solution makes innovation more accessible than ever before.
Seeed is a global leader in open hardware innovation and an NVIDIA Elite Partner, We specialize in cutting-edge open hardware platforms.We aim to democratize technology through IoT and AI, empowering developers worldwide to break barriers in hardware innovation.
By 2025 the most popular Microsoft Office products fall out of support, including the most widely used Office versions: Microsoft Office 2016 and 2019. Microsoft’s recommendation? Move, of course, to their subscription-only Microsoft 365 offering which changes the scope of data privacy, access, and the financial relationship SME’s depend on — becoming subject to sudden price changes, like the previous up-to-25% price hikes.
We believe there’s a need for a real alternative.
The clock is ticking
Currently more than 80% of small and midsize enterprises (SMEs) in Germany use Microsoft Office packages that will have reached end-of-life next year, including Office 2016 and Office 2019. Essentially, “support for Office 2016 and Office 2019 will end on October 14, 2025 and there will be no extension and no extended security updates.” states Microsoft. Without an upgrade “you could expose yourself to serious and potentially harmful security risks.” And… they’re right.
Why businesses hesitate with Microsoft 365
Microsoft’s recommendation to move to Microsoft 365 carries significant implications for essential everyday office tools in enterprises. Data show that enterprises are hesitating to upgrade, with market share of Office 2010, 2013, 2015 and 2019 remaining stable in the last 24 months. Why the hesitation to upgrade?
We can think of a few reasons.
The financial implications
The soon-to-expire versions of Microsoft Office follow the traditional licensing model, which SMEs expect and appreciate for it’s predictability. With Microsoft’s suggested move to Office 365, that model gets thrown away for the monthly subscription model with cloud services. Which leads us to question…
Why does Big Tech love subscriptions?
Price control: increased prices at any time
There’s an incentive to lock you into recurring pricing through subscriptions that cause price control: the ability for them to raise prices at any point, leaving SMEs at the mercy of their new subscription overlords.
The reason this is so effective?
Cancelling is painful: the vendor lock-in guarantee
Subscription models provide a perfect vendor lock-in scenario, creating this dependency and making it both difficult and costly to switch providers if the service does not meet expectations. Another step to this vendor lock-in includes the technical challenges associated with a massive migration from a subscription service.
What about my data privacy?
Is it acceptable that internal documents, Intellectual Property, and private communications are the new building blocks for Microsoft’s AI models?
Moving to Microsoft 365 also drastically changes the expectations of data privacy, sovereignty, and transparency. With the suggestion to move the entire office suite to Microsoft’s cloud, your data may no longer be solely yours.
Microsoft’s Privacy Statement even states “As part of our efforts to improve and develop our products, we may use your data to develop and train our AI models.”
Even the European Commission this year was found to infringe on its own EU data protection laws through its use of Microsoft 365, which “failed […] to ensure that personal data transferred outside the EU are afforded an essentially equivalent level of protection as guaranteed in the EU.”
Nextcloud Office: refreshing alternative to Microsoft technologies
Nextcloud Office presents a migration path that addresses all of these Big Tech problems, from the grips of vendor lock-in to the critical data privacy concerns. It’s your ideal Microsoft 365 alternative!
By allowing self-hosting on secure and self-controlled servers, or with trusted sovereign cloud hosting partners, Nextcloud Office prioritizes your data sovereignty and GDPR compliance. This gives Nextcloud an edge over Microsoft 365, where data is stored on Microsoft’s servers and may be subject to access by US authorities.
In addition to real-time collaborative editing of documents, spreadsheets, and presentations, Nextcloud Office also seamlessly integrates with other Nextcloud apps like Nextcloud Talk and Nextcloud Groupware applications, enhancing overall team productivity.
Success in Germany’s federal state
From the public sector, the federal state of Schleswig-Holstein in Germany migrated away from the grasp of subscription models into Nextcloud’s suite of open source, data sovereign solutions including Nextcloud Office. This transition has been explored in details by Schleswig-Holstein’s CIO Sven Thomsen in a recent episode of the Nextcloud Podcast.
With the adoption of Nextcloud Office in the last years, the value proposition that Nextcloud put into place totally changed for us: Nextcloud migrated in our view from a simple OneDrive alternative to becoming our central hub for collaboration and collaborative document editing. From an IT operations point of view, Nextcloud being open source is the perfect implementation path as a new solution.
To smooth the transition, Nextcloud also supports many Microsoft integrations to make the journey a success!
Nextcloud Office: Your new path forward
As Microsoft Office 2016 and 2019 reach their end-of-life milestones, SMEs face a critical decision, and an opportunity for a better path forward.
An upgrade to Nextcloud Office prioritizes your data privacy, sovereignty, compliance, and vendor lock-in freedoms. Our open source suite of solutions allows SMEs to maintain control over their sensitive business information and avoid the risks associated with Big Tech’s cloud-based services.
Don’t get left behind by the changing landscape of Microsoft’s products. Join the growing community of organizations that have successfully migrated to Nextcloud Office.
Take control of your data and your future.
Explore Nextcloud Office
Your update journey to a more private and collaborative document editing.
Home Assistant has announced a significant upgrade to its Yellow platform with Compute Module 5 (CM5) support in HAOS 14. This expansion brings enhanced capabilities while maintaining strong support for existing CM4 users.
Home Assistant Yellow now supports CM5 (Compute Module 5)
Support will be available in the HAOS 14 release
CM5 Advantages:
Higher performance, up to 3x faster for ESPHome compilation
Better local speech-to-text processing
Suitable for power users’ needs
HAOS 14 Additional Updates:
Added support for Hailo-8 AI accelerator
AI capabilities for Pi 5
This update reinforces Home Assistant’s commitment to providing users with scalable, future-proof smart home solutions. While CM5 offers significant performance benefits for power users, CM4 remains a viable option for standard installations, demonstrating Home Assistant’s balanced approach to hardware evolution. Apart from that, CM4 production will continue and Raspberry Pi commits to support CM4 until 2034.
How to Install HAOS on CM5
Note: It’s necessary to use the latest version of rpiboot when installing Home Assistant OS for CM5. Download the latest Version.
From November 23rd to 24th, 2024, the 2nd UIC TrainRail Hackathon Asia-Pacific Regional Competition took place at Southwest Jiaotong University in China. The event attracted over 200 talented students from across the Asia-Pacific region, forming 42 teams to explore solutions for the future of the railway industry. With themes centered on enhancing passenger experience, strengthening freight capacity, and optimizing operational efficiency, the competition brought fresh perspectives and innovative technologies to the sector.
Committed to nurturing innovation and driving industry progress, Seeed Studio was thrilled to support the competition, together with other institutions such as Khon Kaen University in Thailand and Yamanashi University in Japan.
We were happy to provide comprehensive support throughout the competition, including pre-competition technical guidance and a wide range of hardware resources such as XIAO series, Grove sensors, Arduino kits, LoRa E5 modules, and Raspberry Pi modules, etc, empowering participants to rapidly prototype their ideas and overcome technical challenges.
Teams from Southwest Jiaotong University and Shijiazhuang Railway University claimed the top prizes for their exceptional projects. They will represent the Asia-Pacific region at the global finals in April 2025.
Highlights of Winning Projects
Participants showcased a range of innovative projects that directly addressed real-world railway challenges. Notable projects included:
Railway Wind and Snow Disaster Early Warning and Response System: This system provides real-time monitoring and early warnings for railway operations under adverse weather conditions, enhancing safety and efficiency.
Automated Barrier-Free Platform System: Designed to improve accessibility for passengers with disabilities, this intelligent platform solution optimizes barrier-free services in railway transportation.
Contact Network Arc Intelligent Monitoring System: Employing vision and sensor technologies, this system offers an intelligent solution for railway equipment maintenance, significantly improving efficiency and accuracy.
AI-Powered Real-time Rail Defect Detection: Using AI models to analyze rail conditions in real-time for enhanced safety monitoring.
Smoke Purification Device for Trains: Improving air quality within train cabins for a more comfortable passenger experience.
Vibration-Based Railway Construction Personnel Monitoring: Employing vibration wave technology to monitor the dynamic changes in construction environments and enhance worker safety.
Real-time Monitoring of Load Distribution in Freight Trains: Ensuring the smooth operation and safety of freight trains by monitoring load distribution during transit.
Computer Vision-Based Pantograph Modal Analysis: Optimizing pantograph monitoring through visual technology to improve the efficiency of electrified railway operations.
The hackathon underscores the vital connection between education, international collaboration, and industry development. Seeed Studio is proud to have been a part of this event and is committed to empowering young innovators to drive the digital transformation of the railway industry.
Congratulation to all participants for their hard work and creativity!
Recently in Shenzhen China, Dessap Loic one of our Seeed’s Rangers had the privilege of participating at Maker Faire Shenzhen held from November 16-17, selected by Chailo Maker Space, MakerFaire Shenzhen and Seeedstudio. He proudly exhibited RobotSave Education, Robotsave bot projects, and various related activities at the event.
RobotSave Education is a STEM-focused organisation committed to enhancing quality education and promoting community inclusion by:
Hosting Free AI-IOT, STEM Robotics and drone workshops: By uniting future STEM leaders through dynamic collaborative national and international robotics competitions. Our mission is to highlight STEM education’s importance, excitement, and real-world application.
Providing Stem kits, and IoT tools: These kits empower young changemakers and innovators, equipping them with essential skills like critical thinking, creativity, confidence, and technological expertise to drive impactful change with Tech4Good initiatives.
Robotsave bot is an innovative farm bot designed to optimize agricultural processes. It uses advanced sensors to gather essential soil and weather data from Seeed’s Groove and SenseCap industrial sensors, which are transmitted via LoRaWAN for real-time analysis and actionable insights. Key features include:
Predicting crop yield potential based on soil conditions and precise location,
Real-time fertility assessments with recommendations for water and natural fertilizer use.
Easy access to insights through a user-friendly mobile and PC application.
Showcasing Our Tools and Activities
At Maker Faire Shenzhen, we also demonstrated the tools and technologies that support our activities, including:
Seeed Studio SenseCap and Xiao series,
TmeEducation Arduino boards,
LoRaWan-based IoT projects, and workshops conducted in Cameroon and France.
A memorable Experience
We had the pleasure of meeting Seeed Studio’s Ceo Eric Pan, Alison Yang and Meilily li along with the other director manager. We also toured Seeed Studio’s prototyping factories and headquarters, receiving a warm and welcoming experience.
We are deeply grateful to MakerFaireShenzhen, Digikey, Chaihuo Maker Space, Seeed Studio, Tmeeducation and Maker Faire Rome, Italy for their support, sponsorship, and the incredible opportunities they provided. Special thanks to everyone who visited our booth and engaged with our projects.
In recent years, the growing concern over environmental issues such as air pollution, climate change, and urbanization has led to a heightened awareness of the importance of monitoring our surroundings. With the advancement of technology and the rise of the Internet of Things (IoT), individuals and communities now have the power to gather and analyze environmental data more easily than ever before. One innovative solution that embodies this shift is the Smart Citizen Kit by Fab Lab Barcelona, Seeed Studio, IAAC, and the European Commission. It is an open-source tool that allows anyone to monitor their environment, understand it, and contribute data through the Smart Citizen Platform. Since the launch of the first Smart Citizen Kit in 2012, Fab Lab Barcelona has been committed to empowering communities to better understand their surroundings by developing open tools for environmental monitoring.
Designed to empower citizen scientists, researchers, educators, and environmentally-conscious individuals, this comprehensive tool enables users to monitor various environmental parameters while providing a complete platform and tools to foster open data collection and community engagement. Smart Citizen provides a unique ecosystem of sensor kits, software platforms, and tools that enable communities to make sense of their environment and take action.
Introducing the SCK2.3: More Advanced Than Ever
Seeed Studio and Fab Lab Barcelona proudly introduce the latest version of the Smart Citizen Kit: the SCK2.3. The new SCK collects environmental data more accurately and it’s easier to use. Likewise, it introduces new sensors and a more robust firmware loaded with features, while maintaining everything that made the previous versions great!
Key Features
Multi-Sensor Capabilities: The new SCK2.3 is compatible with the previous SCK2.1. It brings new sensors, more customization, and exciting features that allow anyone to accurately measure and collect better quality data, including UV readings, an improved PM sensor to better measure air quality, along with the classic sensors from the previous SCK2.1: temperature, humidity, noise and light pollution.
User-Friendly Interface: TheSCK2.3 is designed to allow anyone to start measuring in no time, making it accessible for beginners, educators, and researchers alike. Its straightforward setup process and intuitive interface allow users to easily start collecting data without needing advanced technical skills.
Open Source Hardware with Customization Options: As with previous versions, the SCK2.3is fully open source, allowing users to modify and customize its hardware and firmware, tailoring the SCK to meet their specific needs. For example, users can add a diverse selection of new sensors to measure additional metrics for indoor and outdoor air quality, and water and soil measurements. In addition, Fab Lab Barcelona has a wide range of open-source designs that allow users to 3D print and build their enclosures, recycling them when they are done, and saving some industrial plastic manufacturing in the process.
Data Sharing and Visualization: Collected data can be uploaded to the Smart Citizen Platform, where users can visualize their findings through easy-to-read graphs. The Smart Citizen Platform is completely open for people to access, making it easy for anyone to play, experiment, and work with environmental data!
Various data-logging options: The SCK2.3 is designed to publish data using your home or office Wi-Fi and can store data in CSV format on a MicroSD. It also includes an internal memory to store more than a month’s worth of data in case the device loses its Wi-Fi connection. Data is published automatically when the connection is recovered.
Flexible Power Options: Similar to previous versions, the SCK2.3can be powered via micro USB, and it also comes with a 2000mAh LiPo battery. The battery is meant to be a complete power option for short-term measurements (from days to a week) and a backup solution when the SCK is used for longer periods. It is also compatible with various other charging options, including battery packs, or solar panels for off-the-grid deployments.
Brought to Market by Fusion Co-Create Services
Since 2014, Seeed Studio has collaborated with Fab Lab Barcelona to promote the Smart Citizen Kit, making it more accessible for anyone to use. We’re proud to announce the latest SCK2.3, now available for Pre-order on our official store!
Seeed Fusion is dedicated to elevating your innovative ideas into products and solutions for various verticals. With the full range of open-source modules and industry-grade devices, expertise in product design, experience in production, and resources in glocal community and marketing. We’re your go-to partner from 0 to ∞. Co-Create with Seeed Fusion, you can leverage Seeed’s capabilities in Prototype, Produce, and Promote, ranging from custom design, manufacturing to selling, covering the full product lifecycle from idea to delivery and iteration!
Through our collaboration with Fab Lab Barcelona, we provided essential support in the following areas:
Help develop the prototype: Help develop the prototype and facilitate development by providing test units and custom parts to better improve the SCK2.3.
Components supply: Supply the necessary components for producing the Smart Citizen Kit.
Supply chain optimization: Optimize the supply chain locally to find the best suppliers and reduce costs.
Batch manufacturing: Commit to manufacturing to ensure that the kit is available in sufficient quantities for users.
Product launch: Understand the market and launch the product on our official website, making it easily accessible to the public.
Marketing support: Leverage our extensive marketing channels to promote the product, ensuring it reaches a wider audience.
Unlocking potential: Help Fab Lab Barcelona understand where to go next, and explore potential synergies with Seeed products.
Use the code Smartcitizento enjoy this exclusive discount NOW as it’s a limited offer that expires on December 20, 2024.
If you’re interested in bringing this amazing invention to your community or country, please feel free to reach out to us at maker@seeed.cc. Moreover, our Fusion Co-Create Program is dedicated to enabling more developers and teams like Fab Lab Barcelona to scale up their impactful designs, while providing them with a licensing fee for each piece sold. If you also have a cool Seeed-based project that you want to bring to the market, feel free to reach out to us at fusion@seeed.io.
Last But Not Least: Meet Fab Lab Barcelona Team at Our Livestream
Tune in onDecember 20th when we will be hosting a livestream in collaboration with the Fab Lab Barcelona team to provide a more intuitive demonstration of how Smart Citizen works.Be the first to know the story behind the Smart Citizen Kit 2.3. This is also a great opportunity for you to ask them any questions you may have about the product!
Get a sneak peek into the development process and learn how Fusion Co-Create brought this product to life.
As many of you know, Seeed has always been committed to providing makers with easy-to-use and innovative products, services, and solutions. Over the past year, our partnership with Flux.ai has grown stronger than ever!
This partnership has already empowered developers to bring their innovative ideas to life. By combining our expertise, we’ve been able to deliver exceptional results and generate significant visibility for these projects. You can check them on our organization page at Flux!
We hope that our small support will bring significant changes to the areas and causes in need. Inspired by these projects? You’ll love what’s coming next!
LED Remix: Design the Next Generation
In order to invite more developers to co-create with us, we kickstart a campaign called LED Remix: Design the Next Generation!
How to Apply?
Step 1: Please fill out the formto submit your bravo project!
Each participant is limited to two PCBA boards 100% completely FREE for one design, including PCB fabrication, the cost of parts, assembly, and shipping.
Free usage of Flux.ai for 2 months
The project must include a LED design and a Xiao module, and use Flux.ai as the design tool
Step 2: After submitting your application, our team will promptly assess your design. Kindly await our team’s contact.
Duration: 12th Dec. 2024- 12th Mar. 2025
By participating in this event, you agree to review your experience with us and allow us to share it and the design with the community on our social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, blog, etc.).
If you’re currently short on ideas, don’t worry, we’re here to help!
To provide you with some inspiration, we’ve invited Goku to design two mother projects below, which are designed by Flux.ai and manufactured at Seeed Studio Fusion.
Feel free to build upon these projects and create your unique designs!
It’s inspired by the character Destined One from “Black Myth: Wukong.” For this project, Goku uses 37 tiny pixel LEDs along with the Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32-C3 microcontroller, which will program with WLED.
Ready to turn your Xiao ESP32-S3 into a smart lighting controller? WLED is the perfect tool for the job. This open-source web server lets you control both digital and analog LED strips, and even integrate with smart home platforms like Alexa and Google Assistant. Let’s get started!
Tips: You can find most of the components needed at Flux. If there are any questions during the design process, you can ask for help using the co-pilot. You can also go to Goku’s project file to view his designs, and it is possible to clone his project and make your own changes. We are ready to illuminate and spread your ideas coupled with projects anytime!
Combining Flux’s AI-driven Auto-Layout with Seeed’s example projects makes it easy to create something uniquely yours quickly. Here’s how you can do it:
Step 1: Clone the Project
Start with a Seeed example project in Flux to avoid designing from scratch.
Step 2: Customize the Design
Use Flux’s editor and part library to customize the design, swap components, or add new functionality.
Step 3: Run the Auto-Layout
Let Flux’s AI optimize the placement and routing of components, ensuring your design is manufacturable and ready to go.
Auto-Layout uses AI to optimize component placement and routing while considering your design constraints. This ensures the layout is both functional and ready for manufacturing. Whether you’re adjusting an LED configuration or refining a component layout, Auto-Layout simplifies the process, allowing you to focus on your design.
Scale up your Creation with Seeed Studio Co-Create Program!
We will invite well-received LED Remix projects to the Seeed Studio Co-Create Program, where your products can be listed, sold and shipped directly by Seeed on the Seeed Studio Bazaar. We will also support designers to reach thousands of like-minded customers and distributors with Seeed’s global sales channels and social media presence.
Don’t hesitate! It’s a great chance to show off your ideas and skills. Join and fuel your passion now!
Meshtastic is an open-source project that leverages LoRa, a long-range radio protocol that is widely available in most regions and does not require additional licenses or certifications, unlike HAM radio. Utilizing inexpensive LoRa radios, Meshtastic provides a FREE, long-range, off-grid communication solution for areas without reliable or existing communication infrastructure.
In a simpler way, Meshtastic is a free and easy-to-use tool that lets you send messages without internet or mobile networks. It connects small, specialized devices to create a network where you can communicate over long distances, making it perfect for outdoor adventures, emergencies, or communication in remote areas. You can share short text messages, GPS locations, and even voice messages (coming soon)with others. It’s easy to set up, works on various devices, and has a supportive community if you need help.
(Image credit: meshtastic.org)
What Can Meshtastic Do?
In today’s tech-focused world, it’s hard to picture a day without a steady network connection. But if you’ve ever gone hiking in a remote area and lost signal, or attended a big event where the network was too crowded to use, you know the struggle. During natural disasters like typhoons or floods, communication networks might fail, making it tough to call for help or connect with loved ones. I hope you don’t face these challenges, but it’s worth thinking about potential solutions if you do. What would you want to have in place?
This is where Meshtastic comes into play, offering a potential Plan A for those rare yet crucial instances: an emergency response solution.
Why Meshtastic?
There are also many other options, such as the more well-known LoRa-based solutions like LoRaWAN® and Sidewalk, or the commonly used 4G/5G, and even Starlink developed by SpaceX. So, why Meshtastic?
Differences Between LoRaWAN®, Sidewalk, and Meshtastic
As shown below, I have listed the biggest differences between the three. Meshtastic is decentralized and doesn’t require gateways, making it better suited for flexible, independent, peer-to-peer communication scenarios, while LoRaWAN®is ideal for large-scale, centrally managed IoT applications. Amazon Sidewalk, is designed to extend the connectivity range of smart home devices using low-power, community-based networking.
Differences Between 4G/5G and Meshtastic
Most of us rely on 4G/5G networks in our daily lives, so how does Meshtastic compare to them? The main differences are outlined below. Simply put, Meshtastic is ideal for situations where there is no cellular signal, no infrastructure, or limited power availability, such as outdoor activities, survival scenarios, or rescue operations. On the other hand, cellular network coverage is primarily concentrated in areas with high levels of human activity, such as cities and urban regions.
Differences Between Starlink and Meshtastic
Starlink and Meshtastic are two different communication solutions, each with its own strengths. Starlink is ideal for those who need constant online connectivity and high-speed internet access, even in remote areas. However, if you need a more affordable, portable solution for offline communication, especially when power and infrastructure are limited, Meshtastic is the better choice.
Last but not least, Meshtastic is free to use—once you purchase a compatible device, you can start enjoying the free mesh network with your friends!
Typical Meshtastic Applications
So, what are the typical applications of Meshtatsic? Here are some common usages shared by passionate community members on Reddit about “What do you use Meshtastic for?”.
calinet6: “Making new friends nearby who are equally nerdy by virtue of opting into this.”
Jcw122: “‘Talking’ with friends at big festivals”
spotcheck001: “We use it for family to communicate when we camp. Works out great.”
Stroniu44: “Combined with ATAK to localise and communicate during exercise with other tanks from my platoon, especially exchange kmz data”
jp_bennett: “Vehicle tracking across town, as well as emergency comms for emergency situations.”
AnderlAnduel: “I share weather station data between home automation sytems with my neighbors (mqtt2mqtt bridge). This way we are independent of Internet services.”
What they’re sharing are exactly the applications that I suggest you to start your Meshtastic journey.
Outdoor Adventures
Whether you enjoy hiking, camping, survival skills, mountaineering, cycling, off-road driving, or skiing, it’s common to encounter areas with no 4G/5G during these outdoor activities. Using Meshtastic allows team members to stay in touch all the time during outdoor adventures, even in remote areas.
Crowded Events and Festivals
If you love big events like Burning Man, Coachella, or Midi Music Festival, you’ve probably dealt with weak signals and lost connections because of overloaded networks. With Meshtastic, you can easily and affordably create a portable, reliable, and self-controlled network infrastructure to stay connected with friends.
Search and Rescue
When disasters strike and signal or power infrastructure fails, Meshtastic can be a vital tool for emergency response, supporting search and rescue operations. A Meshtastic tracker, capable of precisely identifying the location of those in distress and maintaining communication with them, is an excellent choice for equipping rescue teams or ensuring everyday emergency preparedness.
Meshtastic Limitations
Text messages only at the moment: Meshtastic uses LoRa, which focuses on long-range and low power. This limits bandwidth, so it can only send text—no images, videos, or large files.
Short messages: You can only send messages with 228 characters or fewer due to LoRa’s packet size limit, which isn’t enough for detailed or complex information.
For those new to Meshtastic, a common question is how to select the right product from the wide range of Meshtastic-compatible options, which include everything from development boards to ready-to-use devices. In the following, I will share some of the most popular Meshtastic devices with you.
Popular Meshtastic-compatible Products: A Comparison
Different products excel in different scenarios. To help you find the best fit, I’ve put together some simple recommendations based on popular products and their ideal use cases. I hope you find this helpful!
Suitable for the Beginning of Building a Mesh Network
– DIY enthusiasts, smart home, smart city
A mesh network allows for decentralized, long-range communication between devices without relying on cellular networks. For those just starting, it’s essential to select devices that are easy to use, flexible, and expandable for various applications. Here are some great starter kits that are ideal for beginners who want to build their first mesh network.
Solar Panel Support: Ideal for outdoor use, ensuring continuous operation without frequent battery recharges.
Highly Expandable: Can be connected to a variety of modules to monitor various environmental factors.
Considerations:
Basic Coding Skills Required: You may need some basic coding experience to get the most out of it. However, tutorials and documentation can help guide you.
No Enclosure Included: Requires some assembly and case installation before use.
4. A go-to device with a 18650 battery holder: T-Beam
Features:
Easily Powered: Equipped with a 18650 battery holder, compatible with any standard rechargeable 18650 battery
Optional OLED Combination: Pre-soldered and separated OLED for your choice.
Considerations:
Limited Customization: Less flexibility for adding extra sensors or modules.
No Enclosure Included: Requires some assembly and case installation before use.
Suitable for Remote Outdoor Activities
– Outdoor Activities, Remote Parties, Hiking, Backpacking, and Wilderness Exploration
When outdoor activities or exploring remote areas, staying connected and tracking your location is important for safety and coordination. However, cellular coverage is often lacking in these remote areas. The following devices are ideal for maintaining communication and location tracking over long distances without relying on cellular signals, also, having a case and small size are important.
Compact and Portable: Lightweight and easy to carry, making it perfect for long hikes and outdoor adventures.
IP65 Waterproof Rating: Withstands rain, dust, and harsh weather conditions.
Built-in GPS: Provides precise location tracking, essential for navigation in remote areas.
Built-in Sensors: Built-in Temperature, Light, and 3-Axis Accelerometer.
Considerations:
No Screen: Unable to display messages directly on the device; messages must be checked through connected devices or apps.
Limited Scalability: Cannot be easily expanded with additional sensors or modules for customized applications.
2. A standalone device with a touchscreen, keyboard, and long battery life: T-Deck Plus
Features:
Fully Functional Engineering Platform: Features a 2.8″ IPS touchscreen, keyboard, microphone, and speaker, offering versatile functionality similar to a mobile device.
Long Battery Life: Powered by a 2000mAh battery, ideal for extended trips with frequent communication needs.
Considerations:
Bulkier Design: Larger and heavier than other models, which may affect portability, particularly on long treks.
Price side: The price is relatively higher than other products.
Suitable for Search and Emergencies
– Power outages, natural disasters, emergencies
When disaster strikes, traditional communication and power infrastructure can often collapse, leaving rescue teams and those affected without means to communicate. Whether for search and rescue operations, disaster relief coordination, or daily emergency preparedness, these devices provide an effective way to stay connected when traditional networks fail.
Compact and Portable: The T1000-E is lightweight and easy to carry, whether it’s on a search mission or during daily emergency preparedness.
GPS Integration: Integrated GPS tracking allows both rescuers and those needing assistance to be located accurately.
IP65 Waterproof Rating: This makes it resistant to harsh weather conditions, including rain, dust, and snow, ensuring that it continues to operate reliably in the field.
Considerations:
No Screen: Unable to display messages directly on the device; messages must be checked through connected devices or apps.
2. A device with an attractive enclosure that supports multiple RF technologies: T-Echo
Features:
Low Power Consumption: With a power efficiency and reliability nRF52840 chip.
Multi Wireless Connectivity: Support BLE5.0, Bluetooth Mesh, ANT, Zigbee,NFC.
Backlit E-Ink Screen: Providing excellent outdoor readability in bright sunlight and ensuring that critical messages and information can be easily accessed in the field.
GPS integration: Allowing for real-time tracking of both rescuers and people in distress.
Considerations:
Limited Customization: If you’re looking for more flexibility or future expansion, other devices might offer more modularity.
No Wi-Fi: It may limit your application in MQTT or other areas.
Suitable for Aviation Usage/SoftRF
If you are also an enthusiast of other projects like SoftRF, APRS, and so on, the following devices can support you in exploring diverse experiences.
For example, SoftRF is an open-source collision avoidance solution for aircraft. The following devices can receive and transmit aviation signals to help pilots understand surrounding traffic information and improve flight safety.
Recommended Devices:
SenseCAP T1000-E
T-Echo
T-Beam
For more product details, you can check out the Google Doc or simply refer to the image below.
While many excellent Meshtastic-compatible products are available on the market, the ones listed above are perfect for beginners. They offer a friendly introduction to Meshtastic, and you can always explore more options on the official Meshtastic website here.
About Frequency
When choosing a Meshtastic-compatible product, make sure to select the one that supports the frequency band for your region. Below are some personal points for your reference:
Local regulations and frequency restrictions: Different countries or regions allow different frequency bands. Common bands include 433MHz, 868MHz (Europe), and 915MHz (USA and some other regions). Check your local regulations before buying.
Usage scenario: Lower frequencies (like 433MHz) offer better range and penetration but slower speeds. Higher frequencies (like 915MHz) provide faster data transfer but shorter range.
Device compatibility: Ensure the device and module are compatible with the frequency band you need, as some devices only support specific frequencies.
Always check the product specifications and follow local laws to avoid using restricted frequencies.
About Antenna
Antennas play a vital role in Meshtastic devices, though I won’t go into too much detail here. In short, they can be categorized into three types: onboard, rod, and fiberglass. Onboard and rod antennas typically provide a communication range of 2-5 km, making them well-suited for portable nodes. Fiberglass antennas, by contrast, offer a longer range of 5-10 km, making them more appropriate for base stations or fixed nodes. The choice of antenna should be tailored to the specific device and use case.
Some Useful Resources
Here are some resources I believe will help you better understand Meshtastic that I want to share with you:
Article/Blog/Community Posts:
Official Documentation: Everything about Meshtastic, including an intro, supported devices, software, etc.
Reddit Explanation: A beginner-friendly explanation of Meshtastic by the community.
Top Meshtastic Devices: A Comprehensive Guide by Adrelien: Reviews of popular Meshtastic devices like Seeed Studio SenseCAP Card Tracker T1000-E, RAK WisBlock Meshtastic Starter Kit, Heltec LoRa 32 V3, LILYGO T-Echo, LILYGO T-Beam.
1. Do I need technical knowledge to use Meshtastic?
No, anyone can use Meshtastic. A basic understanding of wireless communication, hardware devices, or open-source projects can help but is not required. New users can easily learn from the documentation provided.
2. Is Meshtastic free?
Yes, Meshtastic is a free and open-source project. You only need to buy Meshtastic-powered hardware devices. Software, firmware, and official documentation are all free. If you enjoy using Meshtastic, you can support the developers by making a donation.
3. Which operating systems are supported by Meshtastic apps?
Meshtastic provides official applications for Android and iOS etc. You can download the apps here.
4. What hardware devices are supported by Meshtastic?
Check the current list of supported devices on the official website. For the latest product releases, check popular vendors such as Seeed Studio, RAK, Heltec, and Lilygo.
5. Can Meshtastic send pictures or large files?
No, Meshtastic is not suitable for large data transmissions like images, videos, or files due to LoRa’s low bandwidth (a few hundred bytes per second). It is designed for short text messages and simple data transmission.
6. What is the communication range of Meshtastic?
The communication range depends on the environment and hardware configuration:
Urban areas (with obstacles): 1-5 km
Open areas (e.g., outdoors): Up to 10 km or more
By using the mesh network, the range can be extended by relaying messages through intermediate nodes.
7. Why can’t my devices communicate with each other?
Common reasons for communication issues include:
Differing channel settings (channel name and encryption key must match).
Devices are out of range (exceeded LoRa signal coverage).
Firmware version incompatibility (ensure all devices use the same version).
8. How does the Meshtastic mesh network work?
Meshtastic uses a Mesh Network (LoRa-based), where every device(also called node) acts as both a transmitter and a repeater. Messages are automatically routed through multiple nodes until they reach their destination. Even if a node is out of direct communication range, other nodes in the mesh can relay messages and extend the coverage.
Our Seeed Studio XIAO ecosystem has been growing steadily with tap-on accessories like Grove Expansion Boards, Sensors, Connectivity Modules, and Actuators to complement our thumb-sized dev boards. But one thing kept coming up in our XIAO Open Roadmap – you wanted more relays! Well, we heard you, and here’s our answer: the new Seeed Studio 2-Channel AC Wi-Fi Relay.
Powered by our thumb-sized XIAO ESP32C3, this Home Assistant-native relay device lets you control two independent 100-240V AC loads – perfect for lights, appliances, and motorized facilities. We’ve pre-flashed it with ESPHome firmware and built in a power meter, so you can track both real-time and historical power consumption right from your Home Assistant dashboard.
All the above-mentioned features make it particularly suited for applications that need both remote control and power monitoring of household electrical devices through a smart home automation system.
Want to know what’s under the hood? We’ve packed in two 10A/250VAC high-power latching relays (HF3F-L), giving you control over two loads on a 50-60 Hz AC carrier signal. Here’s a sneak peek at the internals – and don’t worry, we’ll be open-sourcing all schematics on our Wiki soon!
Oh, and one more thing! The relay comes in a white 3D-printed enclosure (which you can download and customize from Thingiverse for free). And for all you makers and developers who want to DIY with your existing XIAO boards – stay tuned! We’re working on a universal Relay Add-on that’ll be compatible with all XIAO dev boards.
Notes at the end.
Hey community, we’re curating a monthly newsletter centering around the beloved Seeed Studio XIAO. If you want to stay up-to-date with:
Cool Projects from the Community to get inspiration and tutorials Product Updates: firmware update, new product spoiler Wiki Updates: new wikis + wiki contribution News: events, contests, and other community stuff
Recently in Italy, Dessap Loic one of our Seeed’s Rangers, was selected by MakerFaire Rome to showcase his project Robotsave bot and its various activities from October 25-27, 2024.
Maker Faire Rome the European Edition #MFR2024 is a large event that regroups makers from all around the world who share in common, imagination and creativity that becomes a reality, making innovation simple by showcasing various projects in electronics, artificial intelligence, robotics, virtual and augmented reality, gaming, music, art, education and much more
Robotsave is an innovative farm bot embedded with advanced sensors that collect essential soil and weather data. These sensor data are transmitted via LoRaWan to a server for quick analysis and predictions.
The system provides valuable insights into crop yield potential based on specific soil conditions and the precise locations or areas.
It also delivers real-time fertility assessments, recommending optimal water requirements and suitable natural fertilisers, all accessible through an intuitive mobile and Pc application.
In addition to RobotSave, he showcased the TmeEducation Arduino board, Seeed Studio SenseCap series, XIAO series, Vison AI and various STEM activities, IoT projects, and workshops we are conducting in Cameroon.
Violet Su was present to assist by performing a live demonstration of the Xiao esp32 Ai vision together with SensCap watcher, she also SeeedStudio’s various products and Academic support,
It was such an amazing opportunity and beautiful experience to be selected to exhibit our project among more than 100 exhibitors with other tech gadgets at Maker Faire Rome.
We had such amazing feedback and made new contacts with visitors and other exhibitors who would like to test our product for their projects.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Makerfaire Rome-The European Edition, Seeed Studio, TmeEducation, Alison Yang and Robotsave Education for their support, sponsorship, and the opportunity they provided. A special thanks to all the visitors who stopped by my booth, Q9
Welcome to the latest Seeed Monthly for November 2024! This month, we will explore Enchant Everything with AI . How does AI seamlessly integrate into hardware and software solutions, enabling makers, developers, and innovators to bring their wildest ideas to life?
Boost your knowledge with 10 in-depth tech explorations offering expert insights, 3 weekly livestream recaps, and 7 product and service showcases. Stay updated with 12 highlights on Seeed’s latest news and events, and explore the vibrant open-source community with 11 inspiring projects that showcase the future of innovation.
I. In-depth Feature & Tech Exploration
01. Tutorial of AI Kit with Raspberry Pi From Zero to Hero Portal Animation
Jumpstart your Raspberry Pi AI journey from basics to real-world deployment with our course – now available on GitHub! This course is designed to teach you how to harness the power of AI on the Raspberry Pi, with a particular focus on using an AI kit to perform essential computer vision tasks. Throughout the course, you’ll learn how to integrate AI into real-world IoT applications, from object detection and image classification to more complex visual recognition tasks.Check Out today.
02. Hardware Interface of reCamera
In this wiki, we introduce you to the various hardware interfaces of the reCamera, including Camera, Light, Mic&Speaker, WI-FI, SD Card and Uart (Debug). Find more details here.
03. ESP-NOW Protocol on XIAO Series
This Wiki will tell you what the ESP-NOW protocol is,and teach you how to use XIAO ESP32 Series to communicate using this protocol. Click for more.
Introducing the software framework and development guidelines for the SenseCAP Watcher open source firmware, including “Build the Watcher Development Environment”, “Watcher Software Architecture”, “Watcher Function Module Development Guide”, and “Watcher UI Integration Guide”. Learn more
05. Seeed Studio XIAO MG24 Example – Matter
Matter operates efficiently over local networks, offering reliable, low-latency communication without needing internet access. This documentation will guide you through the steps to develop a Matter application on the XIAO MG24, using Arduino. Read more.
06. Pin Multiplexing with Seeed Studio XIAO MG24
The XIAO MG24 features up to 22 regular pins, 18 analog pins, 18 digital pins, 2 SPI, 2 UART, 2 I2C, and supports all PWM. It offers a rich variety of pins available for our use. In this wiki, we will teach you how to drive these pins, enabling us to utilize them effectively! Learn more.
07. Explore the power of Watcher + Open Interpreter
What if your hardware could understand and execute your voice commands effortlessly? Explore the power of Watcher-OI (Open Interpreter), a groundbreaking tutorial by luozhixin. Using our SenseCAP Watcher, this guide shows you how to set up a service that interprets English commands and performs actions on your computer.Check out today.
08. Seeed Studio XIAO RP2350 with Arduino
The Seeed Studio XIAO RP2350 board now supports programming via Arduino, thanks to the arduino-pico core. This guide will help you set up and begin using Arduino on your RP2350 board. Check out the tutorial now.
09. Single Channel Gateway – SenseCAP Indicator
This project demonstrates how to implement a single channel LoRa gateway using SenseCAP Indicator, which use XIAO ESP32S3 as host MCU and SX1262 LoRa radio and build up a LoRaWAN application on TTN. Upgrading the firmware offers a practical solution for those interested in delving into LoRa technology and establishing connections to LNS. Find out more.
10. From Data to Decisions: Master lloT Visualization with Open-Source Tools
In the Industrial IoT domain, data visualization enables data-driven decisions, transforming raw data into actionable insights. Interactive dashboards in Human-Machine Interfaces bridge the gap between users and production lines, fostering smooth connectivity. With Raspberry Pi powered and Seeed Studio’s reTerminal DM, you can bring intelligence to the edge, creating an efficient, real-time data dashboard in hours! We’re excited to share some open-source tools for rapidly building interactive dashboards.Check out today.
II. Weekly Livestream: Making Next Gadget
Our renewed livestream “Making Next Gadgets” is back! Each livestream will feature a different tech theme, with our product dev teams sharing the latest product updates, project demos, and exclusive deals. Join us on a journey through the tech revolution happening right now!
01. Master AI with Raspberry Pi, Power Smart Retail Solutions
Feeling the Raspberry Pi AI buzz? Excited about its potential but unsure how to get started? We’ve created a perfect roadmap for you! Quick-start RPi configuration, hands-on AI framework mastery, and real-world model applications are all covered in one course! Watch the video.
02. Thanksgiving Feast: Deals & Giveaways You Can’t Miss!
This Thanksgiving, we’re serving up more than gratitude! Get ready for an exciting livestream packed with exclusive deals (up to 90% OFF), flash sales on our hottest products! We’re giving back to YOU—our amazing community—with limited-time offers you won’t want to miss. Watch the video.
03. Meet the Makers from Maker Faire Shenzhen
Organized by Chaihuo Makerspace, Maker Faire Shenzhen 2024 took place on November 16-17, 2024 at Vanke Design Commune, Nanshan, Shenzhen. Join David Groom (@ishotjrdotcom) and 程玮楠 as they walk you through some of the following highlights:
120+ exhibition booths showcasing cutting-edge tech applications including big names like Arm, NVIDIA Robotics, Raspberry Pi, Ultralytics, Seeed Studio 4 summit forums featuring insights from 30 industry leaders 23 hands-on workshops exploring emerging technologies 11 satellite events connecting innovation across the Greater Bay Area 10 highlight projects demonstrating new tech-enabled interactions
Stay up-to-date with the latest product releases from Seeed. Discover new tools, platforms, and services designed to streamline your workflow and accelerate innovation in your projects.
01. Meet RS485 Breakout Board for XIAO, Extending Industrial Communication Range up to 1200m
We’re excited to announce the Seeed Studio RS-485 Breakout Board, a versatile RS-485 expansion designed specifically for all Seeed Studio XIAOdevelopment boards or Adafruit QT Py Boards. Equipped with the TP8485E transceiver IC, this breakout board efficiently converts UART serial streams to RS-485 signals. Read more here.
02. We Listen and Take Action: Your Feedback on NVIDIA Jetson Platform Matters
We’re committed to enhancing your experience with NVIDIA Jetson Edge devices. Whether you’re actively using Jetson platforms, exploring Seeed hardware, or have worked with them in the past, your insights are invaluable to us. We’d love to hear your feedback through a quick questionnaire. Submit your feedback here.
03. Connect reComputer R1000 to ThingsBoard
With ThingsBoard’s comprehensive loT solution enabling rapid device provisioning, data collection, visualization, and control, etc. and the reComputer R1000adding a dynamic hardware layer, we’re pushing Industrial loT to new heights. lmagine hearing the hum of factory machinery.
04. Just Launched: reComputer R11 – the most adaptable and cost-effective edge IoT gateway & controller in your equipment cabinets!
The latest Raspberry Pi edge IoT gateway and controller,reComputer R11, released! It perfectly balances price, performance, and power consumption, could be the most adaptable and cost-effective choice for system integrators and solution providers in automation, energy management, and industrial space. Read more here.
05. Transforming City Fountain Management with SenseCAP LoRaWAN Weather Monitoring-Based Automation in Slovakia
By deploying SenseCAP S1000 V2 10-in-1 Compact Weather Sensor and SenseCAP S2100 Data Logger, the team at Helioticssupported the city automating the fountain’s operation based on real-time weather data, ensuring optimal efficiency and resource conservation. This innovative solution demonstrates how IoT can modernize urban infrastructure and enhance sustainability efforts in smart cities. Read more.
06. Seeed Studio Raspberry Pi 5 Starter Kit available now on Amazon and Bazaar with limited time Early Bird Pricing!
The Raspberry Pi 5 Starter Kit is an all-in-one solution for you to dive into the world of computing and electronics. It includes a Raspberry Pi 5 (available in 4GB/8GB RAM) along with all essential accessories to jumpstart Raspberry Pi projects. The kit is now available on Amazon and Bazaar with limited time Early Bird Pricing. Jumpstart your Raspberry Pi projects right now! Discover More.
07. Get Started with Indicator for Meshtastic
SenseCAP Indicator is a 4-inch touch screen driven by ESP32-S3 and RP2040 Dual-MCU. With the compatibility with Meshtastic, SenseCAP Indicator can be another game changer as your Meshtastic phone or you name it.Check out today.
IV. News & Event Highlights
Get the inside scoop on recent events and news. Gain valuable insights, key takeaways, and highlights from industry experts and thought leaders at the forefront of ML innovation.
01. Maker Faire Shenzhen 2024: Enchant Everything with AI
From November 16th-17th, hosted by Chaihuo Makerspace and Seeed Studio, Maker Faire Shenzhen 2024 was successfully held at Vanke Cloud Design Commune in Nanshan, Shenzhen. The theme of the event is “Enchant Everything with AI”, which consists of Maker Forum, Maker Exhibition, Innovation Workshops, Satellite Events and other sections. The event gathered 120+ exhibitors from the world, and attracted professional visitors from nearly 20 countries and more than 20 provinces in China! Read the Recap Now.
02. Unleash Edge Computing with AWS IoT Greengrass on reComputer
Join us for an interactive workshop at AWS re:Invent 2024, as we walk you through deploying AWS IoT Greengrass on NVIDIA Jetson Orin edge AI devices (via the NVIDIA JetPack SDK), and using AWS IoT Core for cloud-to-edge orchestration. Register now.
03. OpenUC2 XIAO AI Microscope
Do you know community members in Africa used OpenUC2 Microscopy to detect malaria in the field? ICYDK, OpenUC2 10x AI Microscope is an open source microscope that is perfect for various scenarios including Environmental research, Field Research, Timelapse Imaging, Education and other applications! We are cooperating with the OpenUC2 team to combine our strengths to bring this product (and more) to the community through Seeed Studio Fusion CoCreate Services. Click here to learn more.
04. Seeed Studio at Smart City Expo 2024: Empowering the Future of Urban AI Hardware Solutions
The Smart City Expo World Congress was a blast! We had a wonderful 3-day exhibition, meeting with our customers and partners.
𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗲𝘅𝗵𝗶𝗯𝗶𝘁𝘀 1⃣ AI Sensors featuring low-power consumption, long-range communication, on-device AI models for detection, powered by Meshtastic, Semtech LoRa®, Arm, and Himax Technologies, Inc., etc. 2⃣ Edge AI gateways and controllers powered by Raspberry Pi for smart building and energy management; 3⃣ reThings series devices powered by NVIDIA Robotics Jetson supporting Llama, LLaVA, and VLA models to boost intelligence for robotics and multimodal interaction at the edge.
05. Expanding Technological Horizons: AI Vision and Prototyping Workshops in Colombia
On November 13th and November 25th, Gabriel facilitated virtual workshops for senior-year students at the San José Educational Institution in Curumaní, Cesar. These workshops reached a total of 34 students, offering them exposure to advanced technologies and inspiring their interest in AI as a practical problem-solving tool. More info.
06. Innovation and Community: The Impact of the Vision AI and Prototyping Program in Manizales
Seeed Ranger Gabriel, in collaboration with the University of Manizales, led a program focused on training and developing technological solutions. This initiative culminated in an exciting Hackathon that brought together 96 students, entrepreneurs, research leaders, and professionals passionate about technology. Find out more.
07. MFSZ24 Hi Tour: Delve into the Magical World of Shenzhen Manufacturing
As a satellite event of MFSZ24, on Nov 18, Seeed FusionTeam organized a factory tour to explore the incredible capabilities of Shenzhen manufacturing. We visited a total of three factories – Seeed Agile Manufacturing Center, PCB manufacturing factory, and 3D printing& molding factory. It was heartwarming to see how much they enjoyed the tour. Watch the recap.
08. Join Seeed Studio Seminar at ROSCON 2024 in ShangHai, China
Join Seeed Studio seminar on 12/08/2024 at 11:00 AM to explore how this tiny and open-source AI camera – reCameratackles computer vision tasks with ROS packages, which encapsulate into modules and connect to the superior robot control system, all for transmitting communication and processing results in ease! Register now.
09. Conference at the University of Nantes on the Method and Techniques of an Intelligent way of Collecting Data in Civil Engineering using IoT
At the Polytech Nantes in France, Dessap Loic, one of Seeed Studio’s Ranger, had the privilege to present during the Artificial Intelligence Earth Buildings Conference. Find out more.
10. 8 Business Solutions Built with LoRaWAN and Low-Code IoT Platform
11. XIAO ESP32S3 Sense Workshop at the Catholic University of Luis Amigó, Manizales
In partnership with the University of Manizales and supported by companies Platzi, our Ranger Gabriel Giraldo led a program to help students explore tech solutions using XIAO ESP32S3 Sense and SenseCraft. More info.
12. Hacktober Recap, Workshop and Seminar for Open Source Community
Our Ranger Hendra Kusumah recaps an exciting October! From OSHWA to Pycon APAC 2024, our communities shared hands-on surprises and inspiring experiences. Wanna know more? Click here.
V. Community Project Spotlight
Celebrate the creativity and ingenuity of our community members with featured projects and ideas in machine learning. From open-source libraries to DIY solutions, there’s no shortage of inspiration to be found among our talented community.
01. Let’s Type Cooler with KeebSupply Keyboards: Zilpzalp and GEIST TOTEM, Powered by Seeed Studio XIAO
Let’s dive into two very special innovations, Zilpzalpand GEIST TOTEM, to see how KeebSupplycombines simplicity, community-driven design, and advanced tech with the tiny but powerful Seeed Studio XIAOcontrollers. Check it out.
02. Discover the power of DIY with the ReSpeaker Lite Voice Assistant Kit
ReSpeaker Lite Voice Assistant Kit offers unmatched voice recognition capabilities on a budget for your home automation. AguacaTEC’s guide walks you through each step, from setting up ESPHome to fine-tuning your assistant with dual-mic functionality and smart speaker integration. Find out more.
04. Replicating Apple Watch Feature using XIAO Board
Can a tiny microcontroller replicate the motion-detection magic of an Apple Watch? Techiesms dives into an incredible project using the XIAO nRF52840 Sense and Edge Impulse to track motion like walking, running, or standing idle—all powered by machine learning on the edge. No cloud, just pure edge ML brilliance! Watch the Video
05. Smart IoT Sensor built with XIAO ESP32C6
Check out BegoonLab’s Smart IoT Sensor, powered by our XIAO ESP32C6, bringing Wi-Fi, MQTT messaging, and environmental sensing to your smart home projects with top-notch power management! Learn more.
06. Performance Compare: XIAO RP2040 VS XIAO RP2350
07. How to use a 4-Color ePaper with GxEPD2 and XIAO
Explore the potential of ePaper technology with Profe Tolocka’s latest Hackster tutorial. Learn how to combine the GxEPD2 library with our XIAO RA4M1, ePaper Breakout Board for XIAO and 4-color ePaper display to create vibrant, text-rich, and graphics-capable displays. The tutorial covers library installation, coding essentials, and features of the our ePaper adapter, making it easier than ever to get started with XIAO boards. Check out now.
08. TinyML Based Room Occupation Watcher
Is the meeting room already taken? With Hendra Kusumah’s “TinyML-Based Room Occupation Watcher,” you’ll know without making the trip! This smart device uses the our SenseCAP Watcher to detect room occupancy and share real-time updates over a network. Learn more.
09. ESP32-based digital photo frame with 7-color E-Paper/E-Ink
Discover how ThatProject brings a 7-color E-paper display to life with our XIAO ESP32-S3 and XIAO eInk Expansion Board for a digital frame that refreshes your favorite images throughout the day. Watch the video.
10. November Monthly Campaign to Scale Up Your AI Gadgets
We’re excited to announce the results of our November Monthly Campaign to Scale Up Your AI Gadgets! This month, we saw a fantastic variety of creative and innovative projects, and we’re proud to share the top three: Minichord by Benjamin Poilve received 1.2K likes, The Smallest DIY Camera Using XIAO ESP32S3 Sense by Nickson Kiprotich received 95 likes, BLE Data Glasses With XIAO Microcontroller by Markus Opitz received 40 likes. A huge thank you to everyone who voted! Explore more.
That’s all for today, thank you all for reading through the November 2024 Monthly Wrap-up in your spare time. If you wanna share what projects you’re working on, shoot us a tweet @seeedstudio, let us know on LinkedIn and Discord, or publish your project on our Project Hub on Hackster.
#Notes
If you’re new to this session, here is a brief intro. We have gotten dozens of requests over the years for a Seeed Monthly Newsletter. Although we already have a newsletter for weekly updates, we still need a place to host overall information about what’s happened on a monthly basis. It can offer an efficient and friendly way to get updated for the whole community. And that’s what we expect for our Seeed Monthly Wrap-ups. Instead of putting it as a subscribe-to-read format, we’re publishing them on our blog, so as to keep it as open and accessible as possible for the whole community. For each entry, we will cover awesome projects from the community, campaigns that we are running, new products, IIoT Solutions, and even secret recipes for prototyping and manufacturing.
Methods and Techniques of an Intelligent Way to Collect Data in Civil Engineering using IoT, to explore innovative approaches for optimising Data gathering processes and the application of Artificial Intelligence,
He covered several key points, including:
Sensor implementation, Sensor Data Collection and Transfer using various modes of communication, which are Wireless( Wifi, BLE, GSM, GPRS, 4G,5G, LoRaWan, LiFi etc) and wire(USB Serial, RG 45, RS4085, ADsl, Optical fibre, etc). We demonstrated how to define and choose an appropriate architecture, incorporating an IoT network from the LoRa Nodes (SenseCAP Industrial sensors from Seeed Studio) to the SenseCAP LoRa Gateway and Servers then to the end user (user interface).
Use Case projects: I presented practical applications such as crack measurement, tracking and bridge vibration monitoring, highlighting how IoT can provide real-time insights for infrastructure management.
AI-Driven Predictive Maintenance: I also showcased how artificial intelligence can be leveraged to predict and anticipate structural failures, optimize maintenance schedules, and enhance the longevity of civil engineering projects.
IoT projects are done in Cameroon and France:
In France, Caen: Neac Industry Setting up LoRaWan Network to collect sensor data and monitor an autonomous Navigation Electric shuffle Boat.*photo*
In Cameroon, Douala: KandaWeather Launching of Weather balloon Radio-Sonde and installation of SenseCAP Weather stations and Industrial Sensors to collect and provide decentralised weather data to predict the 12h rain forecasting to help farmers, Weather companies, and Air traffic controllers.
In Cameroon, at the Enset University of Douala and Softpower.
He performed a demo showcasing SenseCAP industrial sensors and LoRa Gateway from Seeed Studio and TME Education Arduino board to measure and send environmental data over LoRaWan and visualise the data over the Internet through the Node-Red platform using MQTT protocol.
This experience has reinforced the significant potential that AI and IoT hold for transforming civil engineering and improving infrastructure resilience.
By combining IoT’s data collection capabilities with AI’s predictive and analytical power, civil engineering is moving toward a future of smarter, safer, and more sustainable infrastructure. This synergy not only improves operational efficiency but also significantly reduces risks, costs, and environmental impacts.
At KeebSupply, a passion for unique, high-quality mechanical keyboards has transformed a small hobby into a thriving business for Jakob, Conor, and Timur. Initially, Jakob and Conor’s tinkering led them to design a modest macropad in 2020, sparking a love for designing custom keyboards that’s only grown. Today, the KeebSupply team brings users thoughtful, meticulously crafted designs that balance simplicity with innovation, inviting keyboard enthusiasts of all skill levels to create and customize their perfect setup.
Their very first 1337 MacroPad
With each product, KeebSupply aims to empower hobbyists and designers alike by creating versatile, customizable keyboards built around open-source principles. Collaborating with artists and designers in the mechanical keyboard community, the team develops products that support the DIY ethos, using quality materials and components while prioritizing accessibility.
Today, let’s dive into two of their very special innovations, Zilpzalp and GEIST TOTEM, to see how KeebSupply combines simplicity, community-driven design, and advanced tech with the tiny but powerful Seeed Studio XIAO controllers.
The Zilpzalp Keyboard: Compact, Portable, and Minimalist, Powered by XIAO RP2040
Source: KeebSupply
The Zilpzalp, designed by kilipan, brings a unique take to the unibody-split keyboard format. With just 28 keys, the Zilpzalp is a column-staggered keyboard that maintains the precision and functionality of a full-sized keyboard in a much smaller footprint. Its minimalist layout makes it a great choice for anyone prioritizing compactness without compromising on ergonomic features.
Central to the Zilpzalp’s design is the Seeed Studio XIAO RP2040 microcontroller, a compact yet powerful component that supports both QMK and ZMK firmware for wired and wireless configurations, respectively. The Zilpzalp offers various switch versions, including Choc and MX, with options for both hot-swap sockets and solder-only setups, so users can fully customize their tactile experience. Thanks to FOSS tools like KiCad and Ergogen, the keyboard’s PCB layout is open-source, inviting more customization options.
Source: KeebSupply
The Zilpzalp is ideal for minimalist enthusiasts who want a small, portable keyboard without sacrificing style or performance. Its compact nature makes it perfect for travelers, desk minimalists, and anyone looking to explore compact keyboards for the first time.
The GEIST TOTEM Keyboard: A Versatile, Ergonomic Split Design, Powered by XIAO nRF52840 and XIAO RP2040
Source: KeebSupply
GEIST TOTEM, a collaborative project between KeebSupply and designer GEIST, is a 38-key, column-staggered split keyboard designed with both comfort and flexibility in mind. TOTEM is a great fit for those who prefer a low-profile, ergonomic setup, as it comes with a split layout to help reduce strain on the fingers and wrists during long sessions.
The TOTEM kit comes in a wired and wireless variant. The wired version runs on the XIAO RP2040, while the wireless model uses the XIAO nRF52840 for seamless Bluetooth connectivity. Designed with beginners in mind, TOTEM includes pre-soldered diodes to streamline the assembly process. Each kit comes standard with a durable SLA 3D-printed black resin case, ensuring a sleek and sturdy build. For those seeking maximum convenience, a fully assembled kit option is also available, making it easy to dive into the world of custom keyboards.
Whether you’re a DIY keyboard enthusiast or a newcomer to custom keyboards, KeebSupply’s Zilpzalp and TOTEM models bring something truly special to the table. These keyboards showcase the team’s commitment to accessible, high-quality designs, allowing users to personalize their typing experience fully. KeebSupply’s collaboration with designers like GEIST and kilipan reflects their passion for open-source designs and their support for the keyboard community.
For more about Zilpzalp, TOTEM, or any of KeebSupply’s projects, head over to their website.
Hey community, we’re curating a monthly newsletter centering around the beloved Seeed Studio XIAO. If you want to stay up-to-date with:
Cool Projects from the Community to get inspiration and tutorials Product Updates: firmware update, new product spoiler Wiki Updates: new wikis + wiki contribution News: events, contests, and other community stuff
Seeed Studio RS-485 Breakout Board is a versatile RS-485 expansion designed specifically for all Seeed Studio XIAO development boards or Adafruit QT Py Boards.
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Cool Projects from the Community to get inspiration and tutorials
Product Updates: firmware update, new product spoiler
Wiki Updates: new wikis + wiki contribution
News: events, contests, and other community stuff
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Super Developer Kit
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Duration: 12th Dec. 2024- 12th Mar. 2025
If you’re currently short on ideas, don’t worry, we’re here to help! 
Clone at Flux:
I. In-depth Feature & Tech Exploration
II. Weekly Livestream: Making Next Gadget
120+ exhibition booths showcasing cutting-edge tech applications including big names like Arm, NVIDIA Robotics, Raspberry Pi, Ultralytics, Seeed Studio
4 summit forums featuring insights from 30 industry leaders
23 hands-on workshops exploring emerging technologies
11 satellite events connecting innovation across the Greater Bay Area
10 highlight projects demonstrating new tech-enabled interactions
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